@bufferingbetty

Captain Planet would be so proud.

A growing trend amongst Millennials consumers is shopping with more social consciousness. Rather than just buying from a brand that sells a product, they want to feel like they’re supporting a brand who stands for a cause. Loli Beauty is here for anyone looking to shop from a company that is looking to change the culture of the beauty industry by protecting our ever changing environment. Global warming is real, my loves. Loli Beauty is making their mark by producing products that are zero waste by designing packaging that is reuseable and compostable.

Meet Loli Beauty

Social conscious shopping isn’t a trend that is exclusive to the beauty industry. It seems that it is no longer enough for a brand to ‘round up to the next dollar’ to donte to a charity. It is becoming an expectation for a brand to voice, for example, stances on political issues.

Relatively recently, Nike made a bold statement when it chose to feature NFL player, Colin Kaepernick in a campaign. I haven’t ever watched a pro football game in my life; not even the one time I attended a Superbowl party. But, even I know that Kaepernick, now a household name, caused waves each time he knelt during the singing of the National Anthem to protest the police brutality of black people. By Nike featuring Kaepernick, they told its consumers that they support the athlete’s message.

Was Nike’s campaign for coin or was it in earnest, that’s an answer that will never truly be known. By Loli Beauty designing a zero waste company, they are acknowledging the validity of Global Warming: a topic that politicians themselves still dispute despite the overwhelming scientific evidence.

Of course, beauty isn’t new to voicing an opinion. There dozens of brands who express passion for ethical practices such as being cruelty free or fair trade. Beauty bloggers and consumers have rejected lines that neglect to have more inclusive shade ranges or do not feature people of color as regularly as white models. The world i changing and getting smaller. If these brands want to stay relevant and make money, they’ve got to adapt. Protecting the future of our environment is one of those causes. It’s why freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has gaining popularity.

The Beauty industry thrives on consumerism. So we should do it more responsibly. According to Gary Gardner, director of research for Worldwatch, said, "[m]ost of the environmental issues we see today can be linked to consumption, As just one small example, there was a story in the newspaper just the other day saying that 37 percent of species could become extinct due to climate change, which is very directly related to consumption" (source).

Consumers spend $18 billion globally every year (source). We can do more to help the environment and Loli Beauty can help you make that important first step.

Beauty is a luxury at all price points. It isn’t an absolute necessity for me to paint my eyebrows into something other than what nature gave me, but it is part of the human condition to be just a little bit obsessed with our looks. Cosmetics go as far back as Ancient Egypt; we’ve all attempted that signature Cleopatra eyeliner. So it is unlikely that these levels of consumerism will decrease. In turn, consumers need to do more to encourage brands to reduce waste.

LOLI stands for Living Organic Loving Ingredients.

Loli doesn’t just want you to have products that nourish your skin but they care about what you do with the jars once the product is finished! In a article about packaging, WWD writer, Jennifer Weil, said, “green is the fastest-growing theme for beauty packaging these days.”

“From our food-grade, glass yogurt jars that can be reused for food storage , to our certified compostable labels, bags and boxes, we are thoughtful in our choices and mindful of both the planet and people” (LOLI)

As I though Loli Beauty didn’t think through how many jars a person store without concerning people, they did shut me down! They announced via instagram it;s new refill program! Keep your original jar and order a refill of your product in a compostable pouch. Plus you’ll get 30% off. Everyone wins!

One of the features I love on their site is how Loli proudly displays the ingredients of each product.

Glow Up.

We’re all trying to keep on smiling through the rest of Winter but our skin is tight from the cold temps + heating system. We are drying out! This new line from Aveeno promises to lock in moisture and then some! Aveeno has expanded their Positively Radiant Skincare line to take your skin to a whole new glow level. Maxglow! This line includes 5 products says it will give you that dewy-model look, while actually hydrating your skin. There is even a product that is designed to enhance your makeup!

Meet Max Glow

via @aveenous on IG

MAXGLOW Infusion Drops

via aveeno.com

Most excited to try this product. I have some moisturizers that make my skin feel great but are completely lacking in the glow factor.

The Big Claim: “ Infused with soy and kiwi complex, each moisturizing drop helps even skin tone and texture without clogging your pores. Use alone or with your favorite moisturizer for a lit-from-within glow” (source)

MaxGlow No Mess Sleep Mask

via Ulta.com

The Big Claim: “This nighttime face mask actively works while you sleep and replenishes lost moisture, helps recover skin from damage and helps even your skin tone and texture … attracts and locks in moisture to intensely hydrate overnight, for a more radiant, dewy complexion. The hydrating sleep mask comes with a no-mess paddle applicator that allows you to keep your hands clean while applying.”

MaxGlow Micellar Gel Cleanser

via Ulta.com

The Big Claim: “cleanser works like a magnet to draw out and wash away makeup, oil, and other skin-dulling impurities. With moisture-rich soy and kiwi complex, its unique formula is designed to attract and lock in moisture, leaving skin feeling hydrated, soft, and dewy.” (source)

Trust us. You’ll want one, too.

We are the generation that has everything so we make anything as extra as can be. That does, in fact, include our obsession with skincare. It’s not so much a fear of aging as it is a need to curate the perfect self care evening; first: a glass of wine topped off with a sheet mask; second: scheduling an appointment with our therapists. How else are we supposed to wind down after a yet another day of the government shutdown? Enter our latest indulgent distraction: a mini fridge -yes, for our cosmetics!

Could we technically put our eye creams in the regular size refrigerator in the kitchen? Sure!

But think about all the things that are sitting in your fridge right now. I don’t know -I just don’t feel right about having my favorite eye cream sitting next to a jar of my grandmother’s sofrito. Both are precious but they have no business being in contact with each other.

Plus, think of all the things that have gotten pushed to the back of your fridge only to be found three weeks past its expiration date.

I mean, thank god for packaging and pictures, otherwise you’d have no idea how to identify what is, apparently, pico de gallo. What if that happened to your 24K gold eye gels -lost in the abyss of your fridge because it was hidden behind that weird smoothie you bought and never threw away for you hoped a friend would come over and take it off your hands. It would be tragic.

When I apply my skincare, all I want to focus on is the joy of hydrating my dry skin. Not stress over wondering when was the last time I cleaned out my fridge and if what is in that bowl supposed to be that color.

In a perfect world, you’d clear off a shelf in your regular size refrigerator to make a proper place for your moisturizers and aloe gel.

But this is reality and it’s only a matter of time before your roommates or your Mama thinks your Glow Recipe Avocado Melt Sleeping Mask is actually a sandwich spread -sticks a butter knife in it and gets bread crumbs in the jar. Boom! $45 goes down on account of turkey on rye.

So, yeah, we’re getting mini fridges.And we’re putting them in our little beauty oasis just to feel like we got it like that. So check these out if you’re ready to treat your undereye to the uplifting feeling of cooled eye cream.

Looks like a breadbox but all you’ll find is some moisturizers and maybe some perfume

What I love most is that this little baby sunshine looks like a throwback refrigerator. It’s the cutest damn thing sitting on my vanity, which is actually a presidental style desk that I bought on Craigslist when I graduated college.

Brands to check out:

Exfoliate:

It gets off all the dead skin and helps clear out blocked pores that have whiteheads and blackheads. Try to do it for 5-10 seconds on each part of your face: each cheek, forehead, nose + chin. Exfoliators with a sand like grit work best. Larger particles just sort of scratch your skin and will cause irritation after sun exposure. This should be done twice a week but never more than 3x a in a week. Over exfoliating your skin will cause breakouts.

Cleanse:

If there is one thing you do know, it's how to wash your face. If you feel like you have oily skin, use a gel cleanser. Dry skin, use a cream cleanser. If you're skin feels sort of tight + itchy after you’ve washed it, you have dry skin. Because you spend a lot of time in the sun, look for something gentle. Usually cleansing once a day is fine unless you are super sweaty or fell in the dirt.

Hydrate:

Even if you have a hydrating cleanser, still apply even a light moisturizer. It is your new BFF. We are not teenagers anymore. When you're rounding 30, it's time to start the 'preservation process.' If you've met people who are about your age but you could've sworn they had at least a decade on you, it's because they did not hydrate. Sure, there are hereditary factors to how we age, but we all have hereditary factors. Some of us just manage them a little better.

* Tip with sunblock: SPF, while incredibly necessary, it can be drying for your skin over time. If you are using a sunblock and notice your skin is looking flaky, mix your sunblock with your moisturizer, about half and half, so you get the best of both worlds.

Protect:

Do. Not. Neglect. This. Step. You will age like milk in the sun. Even if you don’t see a burn, you are burning your skin. Don’t forget your ears, neck, and hands. .

Lip Balm:

Again, we ain't 22 no more. Your lips will age just as fast as the skin under our eyes. Use anything without petroleum. While it feels good and does work, it also stops your skin’s natural moisture production. Only use it to heal the skin, not for daily use.

Avoid:

2-in-1 products: I say this because tons of products marketed toward males have this ‘nifty’ little feature that is good for no one. If you wanted to get a cleanse + exfoliate type of product to just use daily, you would just be doing more harm than good for your skin. Since you get sun everyday + facial hair grooming (however often you do it), treat your skin as if it were sensitive even if you don't see any redness or inflammation. Separate products are better so you can balance how often you are doing each step.

Pore strips + peeling masks: products like the Biore strips or peeling masks that remove blackheads are good in a situation if you are going to an event and want to style on the crowd with a fresh face. But overuse (daily or even weekly) will just make the pores on your face larger over time. Which will just make blackheads and whiteheads more visible.

Foaming anything: products that foam have a lot of alcohol so it just dries out the skin overtime. I don't even understand why they're made.

It's OK to

Ignore some directions: I’m thinking about exfoliators again because people tend to over do it. Even if a product says it is ok for daily use, it is not. It’s too much! Very harsh on your skin especially after the sun.

Extra Extra fancy + want to take a product with you during the day in case you feel sweaty + gross?

Cleansing wipes: Any micellar water cleansing wipes are great because you don't have to wash it off. Feels great to remove any sweat and dirt. Most of them are makeup removing wipes. But many people just use them after a work out.

Final Touches

Hydrate + Soothe

Exactly what your skin needs after sun exposure. You can use hydrating sheet masks multiple times a week. It gives your skin instant results. They aren't lasting results but they do help and don't cause damage over prolonged use.

End of Day Treatment:

Not every day. An end of day treatment can be something that preps the skin for the week ahead.

Origins Travel Size Clear Improvement Active Charcoal MaskIf you feel a pimple beneath the skin, this mask works to bring it out. It doesn't cause breakouts but it will bring the excess bacteria to the surface and form a pimple. It is good to use a few days before a special event to help make a pimple heal more quickly. It can be used over a specific pimple or all over the face. Use it about once a week on your nose and chin, or where ever you get blackheads and whiteheads, to clear your skin. Put a warm wet towel over your skin for a few minutes to open up the pores then apply the mask. Once it is dry, use a warm wet towel again to remove it.

If you ever allowed glue to dry on your hand & peel it off with excitement please raise your arm proudly in the air!

Fast forward 20 years, to me getting my now adult hands on First Aid Beauty’s Skin Rescue Purifying Mask. A couple of years ago I had a major skin problem and First Aid beauty was the brand that saved me from that moment forward I became a First Aid Beauty Ride or Die. On their website, the mask is said to “help purify skin, reduce the appearance of pores and control excess oil by drawing out skin purities.” In addition it claims to lessen the “congestive pigmentation from areas where pimples previously formed.”

Truthfully, I didn’t expect much from the mask but was pleasantly surprised. The texture is very thick and was a little difficult to work with the first time around but after 20 minutes of reminiscing about elementary school it was time for the fun to begin! This mask was beyond easy to peel and came off in large whole pieces- as someone who usually avoids peel mask because I hate how only a little piece here and there will cooperate and the rest is a struggle and literal pain I was amazed at how well the Red Clay peeled off.

Once the mask was off I flashed back to how the top of my hand would feel so soft once the glue was gone and I am happy to say this mask had the same effect. I have used the mask about once a week for the past month now and although I do not see any visible improvement or even pore reduction I would recommend for its smoothing capabilities and fun factor.

I was kind of on the fence about this product at first, but since my pores have been doing the most, and this cleanser is great for a deep cleanse, I’ve been giving it a go for the last few weeks. Honestly, no harm has been done to my face since using this cleanser, and I use it both, day and night respectively. My skin has stayed clear, and my pores are basically nonexistent under my eyes so that makes me really happy. I haven’t noticed any negative effects to my face but there’s something about this cleanser that doesn’t strike me as AMAZING. My other cleansers have exfoliants in the formula and I love how smooth and fresh they make me feel after a wash. I’m looking for that so-fresh-and-so-clean feeling after a long day of work and First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay is just notttttt doing it for me. I don’t have any problems with blackheads or much acne – maybe a few blemishes here and there so when I use a cleanser I’m looking for a smooth feeling afterwards, and a makeup free face. But I will say this cleanser is great for drawing out black heads and other impurities because of the of the Red Clay component.

I really enjoy the process of my nightly routine, and I relish in the moments after removing a face full of makeup. Not to mention I’m really into this red clay color that reminds me of my favorite Algenists Mask that I usually apply right after. The gel was weird at first because I was expecting a thicker formula hence the red clay, but the way it suds up is nice, and it kind of has this sparkly look to it when it’s out of the tube. I’m not going to lie…. I hate the smell of this formula, it’s like a cheap Vicks Vapor Rub type nostalgia and I’m not with it. Ya’ll know I love that fresh tropical, coconut vibe and this is the complete opposite. I’ve actually gotten used to it after a few weeks but it’s such a turn off that I would never repurchase this for $24. I’m not amazed and I’m not convinced it’s really doing much for my skin besides cleaning my pores a little extra deeper and not drying out my face when removing the excess oil. The ingredient that caught my eye was the Rosemary Leaf Oil, which is supposed to unclog your pores and tone the skin. The Red Clay does all the dirty work by absorbing that nasty oil build up, while detoxing and purifying the skin. The cool thing about the Red Clay ingredient is that while it’s battling the evils of your skin, it’s doing it in a calm and gentle way that won’t strip your skin of your much-needed natural oils. This stuff may be harsh on some skin types, but I have combo/oily skin and like I said, I haven’t had any problems. In fact, it’s reduced the uneven skin tone on my cheeks and alleviated some stubborn blemishes and redness. I won’t repurchase this facewash, but I definitely won’t say it’s trash, it’s just not what I’m personally looking for in a cleanser, which has also has the necessary elements of exfoliants and an amazing aroma.

I have been familiar with Clarins for years & although I had known it was a French company, I did not know the luxury products produced were centered around plants. Clarins is known asa high end cosmetics company. It was founded in 1954 by Jacques Courtin-Clarins and introduced to the US in 1981. In 1987 Clarins sunscreen took off in America. They currently provide skincare, fragrance, and cosmetics worldwide through department stores & select pharmacies. I tried Clarins serum which comes in 1.6 oz/50ml and retails for $81.00. It can be used on all skin types which include Normal, Oily, Combination, and Dry skin.

The combination of it’s plant based ingredients help to redefine your facial features.

The ingredients & what they do, include:

Guarana Extract: Promotes a slimmer-looking face.

-Zerumbet Ginger Extract: Visibly reduces puffiness.

-Kaki Extract: Helps prevent skin slackening.

-Oat Sugars: Visibly firm and smooth for a lifting effect.

The product was tested on 79 women & the satisfaction rate of the women on the results were in the high 80 percentile. They agreed their faces appeared more defined, firmer, lifted, & prettier from the front & side profiles. With results like this, I was excited to try. I used the product for about 2 weeks & definitely noticed a difference. The recommended way to use it was to pump some into your hands and rub together to warm. Apply to face and neck, sit down, & put head down and drain. There is a short video online to watch so you can mimic these directions. You should apply the serum mornings & evenings. My face definitely looked lifted & more defined. I plan to continue use to see what happens after a couple more weeks. My only complaint about the product is the scent was a little strong for me. I don’t love the smell of a strong perfume & this is what I got from it.

I definitely do think the price is high, but it works so this was not an issue. This product is a great treat for your face instead of getting a monthly facial.

I, the self-proclaimed glow queen has come across yet another gorgeous highlighter, this time from high end skincare brand Algenist. Being that this product ISN'T laid out there with the other makeup products throughout all of Sephora, you would more than likely walk past this and not know that your best glow yet even exists!

You can see the shimmering glow dripping off of the dropper. its so gorgeously pearlescent.

I am a major fan of liquid highlighters and this one is no exception. This serum formula gives a gorgeous dewy effect and I love the way it sinks into the skin rather than lay on top, especially for the hot and humid summer months. This gorgeous highlighter was love at first drop. The iridescent sheen pulled on my heartstrings. I love how the beam can be built from subtle radiance to an intense glow yet still feel so incredibly lightweight and airy. It feels like nothing on the skin. You can apply with your fingers or a brush like Real Techniques' duo fibre contour brush (which is my go to for liquid highlighters) and then tap a tiny bit with a beauty blender just to blend out any harsh lines and make it seamless. It seemed to last an entire work day which is major. This liquid highlight may give a dew effect but it doesn't set wet. It sets kind of like a semi matte, So this will work for all skin types even for all of you oily babes out there. Also, It works so well with my sensitive skin but I felt like that was a given coming from a great skincare brand. The highlighter is formulated to work well with mature skin as it has gold pigments and ultra fine luminous pearls that don't crease into fine lines and wrinkles as well as Alguronic Acid to reduce the appearance of them. You can mix this into your moisturizer for a brightening effect and even your foundation for a diffused soft focus effect to the skin. This highlighter contains an AlgaCorrecting Complex that aids in color correction and treats uneven skin tone. It is also formulates without synthetic dyes, parabens or sulfates and is dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic. ALL OF THIS SKINCARE MAGIC WHILE GIVING YOU A BOMB GLOW!!! YES PLEASE!!!

This is a swatch on my medium skin tone (with flash) & The beam is real!!! It will photograph beautifully. This is in the shade "Champagne".

The Algenist REVEAL Concentrated Luminzing Drops comes in 3 different shades, "Rosé", "Champagne" and "Pearl". This highlighter is more on the pricier side, retailing for $38 and you get 0.5oz of product. A single drop of this product goes a very long way. Although it may seem small, you're still getting alot of glow for your buck. You can find this Product at Sephora Stores and Sephora.com as well as Algenist.com.

It's no secret that I'm a sucker for good skincare that has minimal, natural ingredients, which is why one of my top skincare brands is FRANK BODY. I'm already obsessed with their body Cream and Coconut body balm along with their original coffee scrubs to slough away dry flaky skin (even though it's messy AF, I don't care, they make messy seem so glam). A couple of months ago the brand released their GLOW MASK and of course me being me, ordered it the second it came out. I LOVE this stuff! It instantly brightens your entire face, making you want to be makeup free. IT'S MAGIC!

This incredibly moisturizing formula goes on thick and creamy and is ideal for those of us who suffer from mega dry skin. (Team Forever Parched). This heavily moisturizing formula consists of a cocoa and shea butter base along with other natural oils and extracts making the treatment super moisturizing and containsa breathable water resistant barrier to lock up that moisture and your skin hydrated. It's has been so good to my super sensitive skin as well (so sensitive babes, this one is for us). Oh, and another thing... it smells absolutely delicious, like a vanilla milkshake.

Not only does this thick, creaminess of this mask feels so good on the skin, it IS good for the skin and is free of parabens and PEGs (which diminishes your skin's natural moisture and elevates the appearance of aging aa well as leaving it susceptible to bacteria... yuck).

After cleansing in the morning, I massage a thick layer into my face and neck and I leave this in for 10 min (most likely while brushing my teeth because I multitask like a MF). After rinsing off the mask you are left feeing deeply cleansed with fresh, glowing, radiantly plumped skin (thanks to the caffeine in key ingredients like Arabica Coffee seed extract that tones and firms the skin and glowing antioxidants like Goji berry extracts) that is as smooth as a baby's bottom.

This 2.70 oz tube is fairly priced at $21.95 with free, quick shipping at FrankBody.com and can also be found on the shelves at select Urban Outfitters stores. Go grab a tube... gorgeously ethereal, lit skin is waiting for you!! (Vegan friends... this one is for you as well!)

I'm just going to go ahead and give this an extra star because it's that damn good. 6 STARS FOR GLOSSIER! I have NOT been wearing much on my face because I wanted to really see how much better my skin could become by sticking to a proper, simple skincare routine for 1 month straight. And I started as soon as I received Glossier's newest product, PRIMING MOISTURIZER RICH, which is basically their Priming Moisturizer on crack and it has been the key skincare product I've been using.

Usually I go through winters stressed because my skin gets incredibly dry. If it's not the unpredictable NYC weather outside it's the dry heat indoors, it's a lose/lose situation. Many thick moisturizers are quite heavy and leave me looking like a grease pit, kind of like a barrier but without any absorption benefits which lead to my makeup just sliding off... gross. So I would usually skip the moisturizing step (NOT GOOD) because I would rather just be parched and able to apply makeup than be a slick mess. I needed a magical miracle.

... and then Glossier Priming Moisturizer was created. This magical little unicorn of a product in all of its pale pink glory hydrates even the driest of skins (that's me!). It has a beautiful texture that is thicker and creamier than the original, yet still weightless and glides on while absorbing into your skin leaving it looking youthful, plump and glowing without the greasy look or tacky feel that many expensive luxury moisturizers may leave. The light feel of this deeply moisturizing cream is still as perfect as its original for being a great primer for makeup application. It is also hypoallergenic, paraben and fragrance free as well as dermatologist tested making it gentle enough and appropriate for even the most sensitive skin. The Moisturizer also contains what they call Power Primers that improve the tone and overall texture of your skin as well as key ingredients that post up a barrier to protect your skin against harsh winter weather conditions and boys who are trouble. It is an actual Pink Power Ranger in a jar.

Most germaphobes like myself are a little iffy when it comes to creams in a jar, but Glossier has assured their cult following that they have found a preservative system that keeps the jarred formula bacteria free! 10 points to GLOSSIER!!! I recommend this to anyone who wants to improve their skin a d especially those who live where the winter weather doesn't love you. I completely trust glossier with my life because they've simplified my routine and have helped my skin improve and their products feel so luxurious that taking care of my skin feels more like a treat than a chore. This 1.7oz of power packed product is luxury with an affordable price tag of $35 plus free shipping (and if you use the code linked below you get 20 percent off of your first Glossier purchase). Deals on Deals honey!! Get to it!!

Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cleansing Oil Review

I woke up with one fake eyelash hanging on for dear life. I turned my head and saw the missing pair smashed onto the pillowcase. At this angle and with sleepy eyes, it looked like a caterpillar/insect out of a horror flick. Lipstick was smeared down my lips. I sat up from bed and groaned. What the hell happened last night? I was at the club dancing with my gals, having a great time. Suddenly I wake up in bed. (Thank goodness I’m fully clothed! A personal success if you ask me!) I stumbled into the bathroom and turned on the lights. I stared at myself in the mirror. Dear Lord Almighty.

Oh well, time to wash away the remaining evidence of the prior night. I stripped down ready to hop into the shower. I grabbed my bottle of Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil. Don’t let the long name confuse you. It’s like a magic eraser for your face. I can’t think of anything or tried anything that works as great as this. Every time I wash my face with face wash that promises it’ll wash all makeup off, it doesn’t. I take my toner and cotton ball and wipe, and it comes back brown. This, oh this is the real deal. No water is needed. Dry face, dry fingers. Slap it on and gently rub in circles. Your eyeliner – what eyeliner? Your eyebrows – you don’t have any anymore. Your mascara – zilch. Everything comes off. My old facewashes would all leave dried up, clumpy mascara which I’ll try and gently rub off with my thumb and index finger, but end up pulling eyelashes out by accident instead. Boscia’s MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil turns everything as it was. Baby smooth, virgin skin. It doesn’t strip your skin away of its natural oils. It gently cleans and removes all impurities.

I wash the remaining remnants off with water and pat my face. There. All as it was before! Like the prior night never happened! I mean I should say, like I remained a good girl and only had 2 drinks and went home by midnight

When you find out someone is using Clinique for skincare, you know they have their life together. They’ve mastered adulting: they have a well-balanced diet, pay their bills before the due date, regularly brunch, makeup brushes are always perfectly pristine, steady income. I mean even if they don’t, they give off an aura of maturity.